Claims and Appeals       Making a Claim   Approval or Denial of a Claim by the Administrative Office   Making an Appeal to The Benefits Committee   Approval or Denial of an Appeal by The Benefits Committee   Legal Action
Approval or Denial of a Claim by the Administrative Office	Once the Administrative Office receives a written Claim, the Administrative Office will approve or deny the Claim based on Plan rules. If the Claim is approved, the claimant will receive written notification acknowledging the Claim and discussing the approval. For example, if the Participant submits a completed Retirement Application and all related materials to the Administrative Office and the Participant meets all of the requirements for retirement, the Claim for retirement benefits will be approved. The Participant will receive an acknowledgement letter detailing receipt of the materials and when the retirement benefits will begin. If the claimant’s Claim is denied, the claimant will receive written notification acknowledging the Claim and explaining the denial based on Plan rules. If the claimant is notified of denial of a Claim, he/she has 60 days following receipt of the notice to appeal the determination. Appeals must be made in writing.